Wet weather predictions will not dampen the spirits of Zen Low and Fairuz Fauzy as they prepare for the mid-season races at Fuji Speedway this weekend. Like many drivers in the GT Asia Series, they are both excited at the prospect of racing at the beautiful historic circuit which can test a true race driver.
The Series continues with rounds five and six held this 17-19 July weekend where Zen and Fairuz will once again pilot the Lamborghini Gallardo FLII of OD Racing.
Zen was excited and anxious on Monday as he headed to the airport to catch a flight out, “it’s a bit of mixed feelings coming into the race weekend as it is expected to be a wet race, I am excited but not looking forward to the rain as Fuji can be extremely dangerous when it rains. The fog can roll down quite quickly and stay, reducing visibility. Rain and fog can be a ‘killer’ condition when it comes to racing.
“I do however have fond feelings for Fuji Speedway. It is one of my favourite circuits, plus having won here before and finishing on the podium a few times in the last two years makes it a very special circuit to return to this weekend” he continued.
This will only be the second visit to Fuji for Fairuz, who mostly raced in Europe prior to his Formula 1 stint. “It is my second time racing in Fuji, the first time was in 2013 in Super GT.
“Weather is expected to be wet, something we experienced Okayama and having tested our wet weather setup helps but at Fuji it will be a completely different ballgame as it is expected to be wet throughout the weekend and it can get very foggy. We just have to see what we can do and I am confident that we can do well.”
He continued, “in Okayama, we were on pace and have a good pace in the wet. So here in Fuji, we just have to remain consistent and to stay out of trouble.
“I am looking forward to a race weekend, but it will be Raya weekend (Muslim celebration after a month-long fast) and it will be my second time spending it at the circuit, away from my family.”
For Aylezo drivers and crew, it will also be a weekend with mixed feelings as a celebration is put aside for a period of grieving for a member of the team back home.
“This weekend started out quite on a high as I have my kids here to celebrate my wife’s birthday with us but then Tuesday we received sad news that one of our staff, Rosh, just lost his father. Our thoughts are with him and his family” ended Zen.
The GT Asia Series season continues for the Aylezo drivers once again in Japan, this time at Fuji International Circuit on 17-19 July 2015.
Race schedule (Japan standard time)
Fri 17 Jul
11:15 – 12:00 Official Practice 1
14:35 – 15:20 Official Practice 2
16:05 – 16:35 Official Practice 3 (Bronze Drivers Only)
Sat 18 Jul
08:25 – 08:40 Qualifying Session 1
08:50 – 09:05 Qualifying Session 2
12:20 – 13:30 Round 5 (Race 1 – 60 minutes – Rolling Start)
Sun 19 Jul
16:10 – 17:20 Round 6 (Race 2 – 60 minutes – Rolling Start)
